I am a physical therapist working with the geriatric population in a skilled nursing facility in New York State. The facility where I work is designated as a not-for-profit. The day-to-day cost of running the facility and providing adequate care to residents is rising, just as cost of living is rising for everyone. It is also facing significant financial loss as a result of declining/inadequate reimbursement rates from private HMOs and Medicare/Medicaid. We actually lose money when caring for residents who are supported by Medicaid.
Therefore the facility is trying to be proactive financially and downsizing the number of available beds. Where we once serviced over 250 residents, we will now have a capacity of fewer than 200, and community members who need skilled nursing are struggling to find rooms, especially if they rely on Medicaid for payment. This also means that the number of health care jobs in the facility is decreasing.
As someone who loves my work with this population, I am scared for my future. And as a family member with grandparents who need skilled nursing, I’m scared that they will not be able to find the care they need.
The situation in the skilled nursing facilities also adds undue strain on hospitals as they try to discharge elderly patients to short-term rehab/skilled nursing facilities where beds are no longer available.
—Anonymous
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